Girl Talk with Jordin Sparks!

by Jane Shin Park

When I walk into Jordin Sparks' suite at The London hotel in New York City, I find the 19-year-old singer lying still on the bed, her eyes closed. "This bed is sooo comfortable," she says with a serene smile. Though it may seem like she's having a hard time getting up to face the day ahead, she actually is working. It's all a part of the preparation for her upcoming gig as host of America's Biggest Sleepover on Beinggirl.com, an online event taking place on November 7th in which girls across the country will come together for a night of games, live chats, and exclusive scenes and performances by Sparks. "When I first heard about America's Biggest Sleepover, I thought it was a really cool idea for girls to be able to have their own sleepover at their house, and also join me online and watch footage of me at my own sleepover," she says.
Beinggirl.com will also feature recipes, hairstyling tips, and other fun content to help everyone create the perfect sleepover. Plus, for every person that signs up to participate in this event, Always and Proctor & Gamble will donate $1 (up to $25,000) to the Protecting Futures program to help keep girls in school.

While Sparks no longer plays with Barbies with her friends like she used to when she was little, she still loves having close pals stay over for a night of bonding. "I guess we don't call them sleepovers anymore, but it's essentially the same thing--just less playing with makeup and more talking about guys! As girls, we'll always have sleepovers no matter what, because we always need our friends," she says.

She could certainly use a night of relaxation and fun. Fresh off her second tour with Britney Spears (she toured with the Jonas Brothers earlier in the summer), Sparks has been logging serious frequent flyer miles. Next up is Australia and Europe, where she'll be promoting her new single. Where does she get the energy to keep up with her crazy schedule, and do it with a smile? "I did have a cup of coffee this morning, so I'm doing good so far," she jokes. "Seriously, though, I just think of all the people who are coming to see me. I wouldn't want to be looking at my favorite celebrity acting like, 'yeah, okay, whatever.' So I try to be has positive as I can be!"

She also credits a healthy lifestyle for helping her be at her best every day. "I had some really close friends pass away from being involved in the wrong things, and I was really affected by that," she reveals. "I can definitely see how you can fall downhill when you become a celebrity, because everything becomes so accessible to you. For me, I was never really interested in the whole party scene and drinking, because I was more focused on school and singing. I think teens should find a goal, something they are really enthusiastic about, and put their energy into working for it," she says.

For Sparks, singing--not fame--remains her number one passion. "I love being on stage, looking into the audience and connecting with people who can relate to my music. The glamour and celebrity part of it is just extra stuff--I just want to sing!" For more info on America's Biggest Sleepover, visit Beinggirl.com.